Navigating the Future: In-Depth Planning Board Commissioners Finalists Interview with County Council - Part 1

Below is a detailed Summary for the first group of planning board commissioner finalists (including direct links to each answer by each person). It is from the May 2, 2023 – Council Session (pm) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg)

You can take a look at our previous piece summarizing the finalists resumes and cover letters here: https://moderatelymoco.com/profiles-of-planning-board-finalists-ai-generated-insights-continued/

Disclaimer: Please note that parts of the following was generated by an AI language model and, as such, may contain inaccuracies or errors. While we strive for precision, we recommend reviewing the original sources for complete and accurate information. Please contact us for any corrections.

Planning Board Finalists (Part 1) Interviews Begin

[42:40] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=2560)

Question 1 (Glass): What skills and experiences do you have relevant to the planning board?

Carolyn Gallaher

[43:50] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=2630)

Warren Fleming

[45:50] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=2750)

Donald Silverstein

[47:35] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=2855) Civil engineer with relevant education, certifications, and experience

– Formal education and certifications include a bachelor’s and master’s degree from MIT, registered professional engineer in Maryland since 1994, and accredited professional by the U.S. Green Building Council

– Professional experience includes positions of responsibility in all phases of development, including land procurement, design, construction, and public official in owner, and completed projects include community centers, schools, museums, hospitals, and more

[52:35] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=3155) Experienced development manager and arbitrator with skills in leadership, consensus building, and project management.

– Named as a member of the panel of arbitrators by the American Arbitration Association.

– Recognized for solving problems, making developments better, and bringing skills to projects.

Upneet Singh Atwal

[55:55] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=3355)

Question 2 (Glass): What are the most critical issues the board needs to address over the next few years?

Focus on housing and community development, and completing the Destrehan master plan

– Build more housing and ensure affordability, while also providing housing for emerging families

– Improve access to affordable housing, transportation, healthy food, green space, medical facilities, and excellent schools, and ensure public projects are welcoming to all users

Question 3 (Glass): If appointed how would you position this role to work on racial equity and social justice issues?

Donald Silverstein

[1:03:35] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=3815)

Upneet Singh Atwal

[1:04:50] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=3890)

Carolyn Gallaher

[1:06:45] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4005) Focus on developing the east side of the county, safeguarding existing housing, and protecting renters.

– Develop the east side of the county and stabilize existing moderate and low-income housing.

– Safeguard against the loss of affordable housing and spread wealth and obligations.

– Strengthen protections for renters, enforce codes, and use right of first refusal to stabilize low-income and moderate housing.

Warren Fleming

[1:09:10] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4150)

Question 4 (Friedson): What role do you think the vision of individual planning board members or of the body plays in the work of parks and planning and the county’s land use as a whole.

Carolyn Gallaher

[1:13:30] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4410)

Community input is crucial for decision making in planning and implementation.

Warren Fleming

[1:14:50] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4490)

Plan long term and match the short term with the long term goals.

Donald Silverstein

[1:15:55] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4555)

– Exercise fairness and good judgement and bring the goals equitably

– Follow the excellent staff guidance.

Upneet Singh Atwal

[1:17:05] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4625)

– Individual planning board members should work with staff, parks, and community members to further develop Montgomery County.

Question 5 (Luedtke): Is there such a thing you would describe as “good” planning and development and is there such a thing you would describe as “bad” planning and development in your own personal philosophy

Warren Fleming

[1:18:20] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4700)

– Need to look at the past to see what is and is not working

Donald Silverstein

[1:19:15] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4755)

There are lots of check boxes for good planning. Putting a large Affordable housing building in a bad location only checks one of those boxes.

Upneet Singh Atwal

[1:20:35] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4835)

I used to think I knew what good planning was but then I realized it means something different for everyone.

Carolyn Gallaher

[1:21:15] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=4875)

Do due diligence to help community understand what we are doing.

Good planning involves community input and course correction, with a focus on affordable housing and not burdening vulnerable communities.

– Community input and course correction are essential for good planning.

– Affordable housing and not burdening vulnerable communities should be guiding principles for good planning.

Question 6 (Stewart): After the turmoil of the last year what will you bring to the board to help tune down the temperature and create a productive environment.

Donald Silverstein

[1:24:30] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=5070)

Honesty, integrity and trying to build trust. That is done with transparency of objectivity.

Upneet Singh Atwal

[1:25:15] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=5115)

Having a fresher perspective is refreshing and can help bring down temperature. I am younger and that population is not heard much in the county.

Carolyn Gallaher

[1:26:00] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=5160)

Getting out in the community. Talking to people. Our nation is very polarized, you have to go out there and build that trust. Ethical decision making. Am I making decisions for expediency or am I following the rules and practices. Consensus and compromise.

Warren Fleming

[1:27:25] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4i_6_gbEg&t=5245)

Bring president of two major companies you’re going to have to make concessions. County gets things done. What I bring to the board is my family has been here all my life. We can reach out to all ethnic groups and see what we need to do to move this county forward.